Two hidden gems in Punchbowl

By E. Clarke Reilly

Published: 2013.02.25 01:25 PM

I’m always intrigued when I see units at Dowsett Point come on the market. When you drive by the complex on Prospect Street, it’s an unassuming, cream-colored, boxy structure. But, once inside, you realize there’s much more to it, as it sprawls on the side of Punchbowl.

Yesterday I stopped into two open houses there, both of them three-bedroom condos with 1,438 square feet of interior space.

The first condo I saw was B-8, which has been recently renovated with high-end upgrades throughout. The unit features a 657-square-feet wraparound lanai off the living area, where you can take in the sunset. (There’s also a retractable awning for daytime sun protection.) Click here for details.

All three bathrooms have been tastefully redone, each with its own look. “It’s a real hidden gem,” says realtor Candace Yap of Century 21 All Islands. “It’s in a prime location in the heart of Honolulu.”

The second open house was at B-15, and it immediately has an open, airy feel when you walk into the living area. Also remodeled, this unit has loads of storage space and closets. I really liked the den off of the dining area. Its folding French doors can be closed to keep the noise down if someone’s in there watching TV. Click here for details.

Another plus: Pets are welcome. “This is one of the few buildings in town that allows multiple animals,” says realtor Tracy Yamato of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties. “You could have two golden retrievers if you wanted to, as long as they don’t make a disturbance.”

Yamato also mentioned that the building next door, which is for sale, was designed by architect Vladimir Ossipoff, and is on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places, so a new, taller building cannot be erected in its place.

What’s also nice about these condos is that the bedrooms are situated away from each other, creating extra privacy for each one.

Two covered parking stalls are included with each of these units. There are multiple access doors to the garage, making trips to and from your car convenient.

Good to know: While the building has central A/C, both realtors mentioned that the larger units can have difficulty staying cool when it’s really hot due to the way the system is constructed. (Yesterday, both condos were quite comfortable.) Yap told me the owner of B-8 rarely used the central A/C because there was no need, and Yamato said that, since B-15 is on the mauka side, the condo stays cool throughout the year. However, you can install a split A/C system for a relatively small cost if you find the unit gets too hot for your comfort level.

The property’s amenities include a pool, two tennis courts and a recreation area.